视听阅读第二册Home Listening答案及听力原文Unit 1I A D AII TＴFＦFIII1 Studies have shown that almost all living things will eventually become extinct.2 In many cases, replacement species emerge over time.3 Human activity is having a tremendous negative impact on extinction rates.4 Some of the world’s species cannot survive without help.5 Some groups may have a vested interest in not protecting certain species.Understanding ExtinctionA species is considered extinct when careful scientific surveys show that the last individual of that species has died. The loss of many species of plants and animals has been attributed to changes in climate, genetic weaknesses, and human activities such as hunting and environmental destruction. Studies have shown that almost all living things will eventually become extinct. In fact, more than 99 percent of the species that have ever lived on Earth have now disappeared permanently. Although this sounds like a terrible situation, it is important to understand that the earth seems to recover from the loss of great numbers of species. In many cases, replacement species emerge over time; however, extinction does decrease the diversity of life on the planet in the short term. These replacement species often require recovery periods of millions of years.Human beings have had a huge impact on the extinction rates of various species. Therefore, scientists have recently begun to examine humankind’s effects on the numbers of species that have become extinct. Through the use of geographical and biological research, a “background extinction rate”has been established. These figures show the numbers of species which have disappeared during the specific time period. By comparing rates of extinction before and after human existence, researchers were able to discover the exact effects of humankind on nature. Studies now cite that the extinction rates after human life began are 100 to 1000times greater than before human influence on Earth. Future rates are forecasted to be even higher. This demonstrates the tremendous negative impact that human activity is having on extinction rates.Scientists are currently researching methods of dealing with this astonishing trend. As individuals, educators, and governments try to manage species survival, one key factor they find is that without help, some of the world’s species can not survive. In addition, scientists must learn to make difficult decisions based on incomplete information. They must also deal with groups that may have a vested interest in not protecting certain species. For example, people interested in developing oil fields in the Arctic may not think the protection of the wildlife in the region is of primary importance.Unit 2I1 0.6, 0.82 1.4, 5.83 1004 14735 2008II1 Greenhouse gases are produced by car and truck exhaust, factory smoke, and the burning of certain substances for heat and light.2 The effects of global warming will most likely appear in animal populations first3 Environmental groups not only governmental ones but also private groups, are working towards this goal.4 The United Nations has organized international gatherings to approach this problem, and has produced a document known as the “Kyoto Protocol”.5 The serious drawback of the “Kyoto Protocol”is that this document doe sn’t include strict enforcement procedures for implementing the program.III 1D 2B 3A 4CA floweringB nestingC annualD matingClimate Change: Not Only a Human WorryNew York, June 4In the past century, the earth’s temperature has risen by approximately 0.6 to 0.8 degrees Celsius. Scientists believe that this is the result of an enhanced greenhouse effect, which is the process by which the earth maintains its temperature. Recently, a rise in certain types of gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), has increased the amount of heat trapped near the earth’s surface by the effect. This increase has resulted in an insulating and warming of the planet. These problematic gases, or “greenhouse gases”, come from car and truck exhaust, factory smoke, and the burning of certain substances for heat and light. If alternative methods of producing energy are not found soon, the earth’s temperature will likely rise between 1.4 and 5.8 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century.Extreme temperature changes, such as those projected over the next 100 years, could be a serious threat to the human environment. However, the effects of global warming will most likely appear in animal populations first. In fact, certain changes have already been observed. For example, early thaws in the ice of the Bering Sea have affected the mating season of several types of seals. Certain species of birds are changing their nesting patterns as well. Certain plants are flowering earlier, and other large animals are changing their annual periods of sleeping and waking. According to Stanford University, global warming has directly resulted in biological changes to 1473 species around the world.Environmental groups, both governmental and private, are currently working to decrease the amount of dangerous gases, or “emissions”, released each year. One of the first international gatherings organized by the United Nations to approach the problem produced a document which eventually became known as the “Kyoto Protocol”. Its aim was to stabilize greenhouse gas levels to prevent dangerous changes in the world’s climate. The agreement set limits on the amounts of greenhouse gases that each participating nation could release each year. Unfortunately, the agreement didn’t include strict enforcement procedures for implementing the program, and as of 2008, several countries only participate in the plan on a reporting basis. Others, including the United States, have refused to sign the document.Unit 3I BＤFII distinctive, cultivate, emerge, harvested, temperature, adequate, regularIII1 Other areas are fast becoming important players in this lucrative game.2 The world’s second best-known supplier of truffles after France is Italy.3 Alba is best known for its white truffles.4 Other countries, including Spain and Sweden, also produce truffles.5 Australian production is increasing year by year.Truffle FarmingWhen you think about where truffles come from, you probably picture a small town in the south of France. While the French countryside does produce much of the world’s supply of truffles, other areas are fast becoming important players in this lucrative game.A difficult undertakingThe situation is clear: truffles can’t be grown just anywhere. They must be grown near or under trees since scientists believe that this is what produces their distinctive flavor. It is also extremely difficult to cultivate them the way one would grow other crops. This special product doesn’t appear in the spring and summer, but emerges only in the fall and winter. Black truffles, which are the best-known of the French truffles, can be harvested only form November through March. White truffles appear only from September through early January. Furthermore, the weather conditions, such as the temperature, must be just right and the amount of rainfall must be adequate for the truffles to grow properly. Due to these challenges, very few farmers have mastered the skill of successfully planting and harvesting truffles on a regular basis.Truffles from ItalyThe world’s second best-known supplier of truffles after France is Italy. The Piedmont region near the city of Alba is the center of the Italian truffle business. There, truffles are sold in their original form and are also used in pastas, flavored olive oils and breads. Alba is best known for its white truffles, which many people feel have a finer and more interesting flavor than black truffles. Truffles are so important in Alba that there has been a truffle festival, which lasts for several weeks, every year since 1899. Thousands of truffle lovers arrive in Alba each fall to enjoy the celebration and the scenery, and most importantly, to sample the truffles.Other sources of trufflesOther countries, including Spain, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, the U. K., and the U.S. also produce truffles. Currently Australian truffle growers are working hared to increase their share of the worldwide market. Scientists there have analyzed the soils, rainfall levels, and types of trees available in order to maximize their production and produce the finest tasting truffles possible. In certain parts of Australia, growing conditions are very close to those of the south of France and production is increasing year by year.Unit 4I F F T T FII1 They can be found almost everywhere including northern Europe, East Asia, and South America.2 They may regard a human in the water as a threat to their safety. Sometimes in murky water, they may mistake a human for a natural prey or a wounded animal which make an easy meal.3 Because they almost always swim away immediately after biting.III1 However, these attacks average only a single death per year.2 The truth is that incidences of shark attacks are actually very rare.3 In fact, humans kill more sharks each year than sharks kill people.4 Almost all studies show that shark attacks are the exception, not the rule.5 When a shark attacks a human, it is not a calculated choice.Welcome to Shark CentralShark Central is a website committed to reducing the world’s fear of sharks.Dangerous sharks: where are they?Dangerous sharks can be found almost everywhere including northern Europe, East Asia, and South America. Of the total number of types of sharks in the world, very few are actually associated with human injury. The coastal areas in Australia host a diverse number of sharks, to which several attacks on humans per year are attributed. However, these attacks average only a single death per year. The east and west coasts of the United States also report between 20 and 40 shark attacks each year. However, these areas have thousands of miles of beaches and a very large population of people who use them during their free time. We have invaded the sharks’ domain, and they may not know how to deal with this.Why do sharks attack humans?The truth is that incidences of shark attacks are actually very rare. In fact, humans kill more sharks each year than sharks kill people. Considering the millions of sharks and millions of people in the world’s oceans, the 71 proven attacks on humans in 2008 seems to be an extremely small number. Although the number of shark attacks is rising slightly each year, researchers attribute this to the human population growth. They feel it is a result of the fact that more people are spending time in the water—not an increasingly dangerous shark population. Almost all studies show that shark attacks are exception, not the rule.Why don’t sharks leave us aloneWhen a shark attacks a human, it is not a calculated choice. It’s usually a mistake. When they see hands moving and feet kicking, it looks like either a threat to their safety, or a wounded animal which would make an easy meal. Sometimes in murky water, a shark may mistake a human for a penguin, seal or other natural prey. The fact that they almost always swim away immediately after biting seems to indicate that sharks do not purposely purse and attack humans.Imagine that!Sharks never run out of teeth: if one is lost, another tooth moves forward from the rows of reserve teeth.Sometimes sharks eat other sharks, however not all sharks eat meat.One big meal can last a shark for over three months.Two-thirds of a shark’s brain is linked to its sense of smell.Unit 5I TＦFＴFII1 welcomed, experience2 special, decorations3 familiarize, inhabitants4 assigned5 treat illnesses6 schedule, tough7 touch the ground8 cultural ambassador1A 2 C 3 B 4A 5B 6D 7 C 8DA April 3B April6C April 12D April 14Daily Journal 2008April 3Well, here I am in Chengdu, China! After I joined the teaching exchange program, I was a little nervous about my year abroad, but this is a great opportunity. I’ve been assigned a job teaching English and American culture at a local school here. The program has also arranged for me to live with someone from the area, the Li family. I feel so welcome in their home and now I can experience typical Chinese life fist hand.April 6I’m glad I have a couple of weeks to get used to things before I start teaching; things here are pretty different from back home! One of the sons in my host family, Xiaoping who is 14, has taught me a lot, though. We take long walks every day to help me familiarize myself with the town and its inhabitants. Yesterday we passed a man who was selling little red bags of what looked like nuts. Xiaoping told me they were traditional Chinese medicines. He said some people in the area use various plants to treat illnesses. For example, part of a local flower is used to treat coughs. Amazing!April 12Today was the wedding of the oldest daughter in my host family Meiyu, to Zhifeng and I was invited to attend as a special guest. At about 10:00 in the morning, a car covered with red decorations arrived and Meiyu was carried out to it. Xiaoping explained that her feet must not touch the ground until she reached Zhifeng’s house. The actual wedding ceremony was short and simple, but the wedding dinner was just the opposite as I have never seen so much food in my life! What a great day!April 14I just got my new schedule for school and it is going to be rough! I have to be there at 8:00 in the morning and sometimes I don’t go home until 5:00 at night. Teaching is always a difficult way to make a living, nevertheless I think it’s worth it. In my case, I’ll really have a chance to serve as a cultural ambassador for my home country and I’m sure that I’ll be able to broaden my student s’horizons—as well as my own. This is going to be a wonderful year!Unit 6I 1B 2C 3E 4A 5 DII1 Saturday evening2 transformation3 delicious dinner4 people walk by5 achievement6 Tuesday7 riding skills8 in action9 impressive 10 saw the waterfalls 11 a rain forestterrain 12 exotic 13 in another worldIII1 We’ve already had so many remarkable experiences!2 The most interesting thing about the city for me is the people.3 We were lucky enough to come across a traditional Argentinean gaucho event.4 I was cheering as loudly as the next person.5 But what I enjoyed most was a side trip we took.Amazing ArgentinaDear Lee,How are things back home? Things here are great! We’ve only been in Argentina for a few days, but we’ve already had so many remarkable experiences! We arrived in Buenos Aires last Saturday and spent a couple of days just exploring this fascinating city. The first evening we visited Puerto Madero. Prior to this visit, it was a rather unattractive neighborhood, but there’s been an astonishing transformation in the past ten years. It’s now full of wonderful places to eat. We had a delicious dinner in an outdoor café and relaxed for hours just watching people walk by.The next morning we visited several of the famous squares in downtown Buenos Aires. To me the most striking one was the three-block-long Plaza del Congreso. They say the whole thing was constructed in less than a year, which I find to be an unbelievable achievement! We also visited the residence of the president, the nearby Casa Rosada, which means “pink house”in English. Them most interesting thing about the city for me is the people; everyone is absolutely beautiful—both men and women. They could all be movie stars! It must be something special about the lifestyle here.On Tuesday we decided to visit the gaucho museum in San Antonio de Arico. However, on our way there, we were lucky enough to come across a traditional Argentinean gaucho event—complete with a horse show. We stopped to take advantage of the opportunity to see Argentinean gauchos in action. They did some really amazing things that showed off their excellent riding skills. I have to admit, I was cheering as loudly as the next person.Later in the week we flew down to Iguazu National Park to see the waterfalls. The falls were incredibly impressive, but what I enjoyed most was a side trip we took. Our guide led us down a three-kilometer path deep into rain forest terrain. It was the loveliest, most exotic and peaceful place I’ve ever seen. It really felt like I was in another world. Here’s a picture so you can see how wonderful it is—I’ll send pictures and info later when I update my journal!See you soon!MarcoUnit 7Iin 1495-B, in 1797-D, in1799-A, in 2000-CII F F T F T TIII1 There is some evidence that parachutes appeared in China in the 1100s.2 His design consisted of a rather inflexible framework.3 Parachuting moved to another level after the invention of the airplane in the early 1900s.4 It was many years before the term “skydiving” was created.5 Teams and individuals began to compete for prizes in a wide variety of areas.A History of SkydivingAlthough there is some evidence that parachutes appeared in China in the 1100s, the earliest recorded example of skydiving is slightly later. Leonardo da Vinci has been attributed with designing the first drafts of a parachute-like mechanism. In about 1495, he designed a six-mete-long triangular parachute which was held together by flexible wooden sticks. Since airplanes or other methods of flying had not been invented yet, the testing of da Vinci’s parachute was limited to jumps from trees, towers and cliffs. In July 2000, British skydiver Adrain Nichols tested da Vinci’s design. Nichols stated that, although there were safety issues due to the parachute’s weight, the flight was definitely smoother than a modern parachute.The first modern parachuteThe first parachute that was similar to those used today was invented by a Frenchman named Andre-Jacques Garnerin. As a soldier, Garnerin was taken prisoner in Hungary where he began experimenting with parachutes as part of his plan to escape. In 1797, several years after being freed, he constructed the first modern parachute. His design consisted of a rather inflexible framework covered with white cloth and looked a lot like a large umbrella. He mad a successful 975-meter jump from a hot-air balloon in 1797, and in 1799 his wife, Jeanne Genevieve, became the first woman to use a parachute to make a similar jump.The birth of skydivingParachuting moved to another level after the invention of the airplane in the early 1900s. During World War I, parachutists became an important part of the fighting forces. This brought attention to parachuting and after the war, parachutists began to appear in public performances. However, it was many years before the term “skydiving”was created, and skydiving wasn’t actually accepted as a sport by the World Air Sports Federation (WASF) until the mid-1950s. Skydiving competitionsAs the popularity of the sport grew the WASF developed rules for competitions and teams and individuals began to compete for prizes in a wide variety of areas, including the following: Largest Freefall Formation (the largest group jumping at the same time)Largest Freefall Formation Head-Down (the largest group jumping head first at the same time) Largest Canopy Formation (the largest group touching each other’s open parachutes)Accuracy (the competitor who achieves the most accurate repeated landings on a three-centimeter-wide target)Unit 8I F T T F TII B C D B CIII1 The idea of having battles in the sky was born.2 They are usually constructed of different materials.3 The competition between rivals is still just as enthusiastic.4 It’s the largest such organization in the world.5 Judges carefully assess all attributes when making their decisions.Competing with Kites Around the WorldKite FightsHistorians believe that people first started to fly kites thousands of years ago either in India, Afghanistan, or any other Asian country, depending upon the source. Somewhere in the early history of kite flying, the idea of having battles in the sky was born. One area well known for its fighter kites is India. There, kites called “patang” or “guda” are flown, and the rope used to fly them is coated with broken bits of glass. The winner is the one who is able to cut the ropes of all of the other competitors. Afghan fighter kites are much larger than their Indian cousins with some being up to five feet wide. They are usually constructed of different materials, and competitors use very lightweight paper for their creations.The sport of kite fighting is also popular in such places as Japan, Korea, Thailand, parts of Europe, Cuba, and Brazil. Brazilian kites are often smaller constructions, but the competition between rivals is still just as enthusiastic. Part of the fun of kite fighting in Brazil involves cutting away someone else’s kite and then stealing it. Trees and power lines in Brazilian cities are often full of lost or abandoned kites.Kite-building competitionsKite-building competitions offer a totally different approach to the sport of kite flying. Each year, hundreds of festivals are held around the world in which people build their own kites and bring them to be judged by experts in the field. The American Kitefliers Association was formed over 40 years ago and today it is the largest such organization in the world with over 4000 members in 3 countries. During the annual competition, kites are judged on four characteristics: appearance, flight capability, construction technique and design.The kite’s appearance is simply a measure of how good the kite looks on the ground. The “flight capability”category measures how well the flier is able to handle it. Construction technique refers to how neatly and carefully the kite was made, and the design category is a measure of how strong the structure of the kite is. Judges carefully assess all attributes when making their decisions. Although it’s a fun sport, competitors take it very seriously and work extremely hard on their entries. You can research possible kite-building competitions in your areas by going to the American Kitefliers Association website.Unit 9I B D B C BII T F F F TIII1 It seeks to achieve these goals by providing quality reading materials.2 He realized that Ethiopian children urgently needed books to learn to read.3 Materials in local Ethiopian languages are purchased from local publishers.4 Classes in government schools typically have approximately 180 students.5 Ethiopia Reads has found a unique way to meet the needs of residents.FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Ethiopia ReadsWhat is Ethiopia Reads?Ethiopia Reads is an organization which aims to help young Ethiopians learn to read and tocreate a culture of reading in Ethiopia. It seeks to achieve these goals by providing quality reading materials in locations that are readily accessible to all children, while providing supportive adult guidance.How did Ethiopia Reads begin?While working at the San Francisco public Library, Yohannes Gebregeorgis, a native of Ethiopia, was unable to find any books in the 83-plus Ethiopian languages. He realized that Ethiopian children urgently needed books in order to learn to read, so he asked author Jane Kurtz for help. Kurtz, who has lived in Ethiopia and authored several books for children, worked with local organizations in grand Forks, North Dakota, to raise money for the project. The program was started with these contributions, and others from the San Francisco public library.Where do the books come from?Materials in local Ethiopian languages, such as textbooks, reference books and story books are purchased form local publishers or published by Ethiopia Reads. Since English is the language used in most high schools and for university placement exams, the libraries also offer English language books. Some of these books are purchased, but many are donated by people in English-speaking countries and shipped directly to Ethiopian Reads.How successful are the library?In 2003, Ethiopia Reads opened the country’s first free library for children downtown Addis Ababa. The Shola Children’s Library now contains 50000 books and provides a safe, well-organized environment in which children can read, study and learn. More than 200000 children have visited the library, which is open six days a week, sine 2003. In addition, the organization has opened ten branch libraries in other districts of the city and has plans to open 100 libraries, including sites in all eight major cities, by the year 2010.Challenges faced by Ethiopia Reads58% of Ethiopians age 15 and above can not read.Classes in government schools typically have approximately 180 students.At present, 99% of schools in Ethiopia have no libraries.The donkey libraryEthiopia Reads has found a unique way to meet the needs of residents living in the farming region around Awassa. In 2006, they began using a donkey cart to transport books to children who had no libraries in their neighborhood. Queen Helina, as the donkey is called, brings books to thousands of children who would not have access to them.Unit 10I ABCII 1D, 2E, 3C, 4F, 5B, 6AIII1 The average temperature on the earth’s surface constantly goes up and down.2 Those who do agree have some serious concerns.3 The size and strength of hurricanes and typhoons will increase.4 By the year 2100, sea levels will be three feet higher than they are today.5 The governments in most major countries are beginning to take them seriously.Global warmingOver time, the average temperature on the earth’s surface constantly goes up and down. These changes are most often the result of differences in the amount of heat from the sun or natural changes in the atmosphere. It usually takes thousands of years for the temperature to change by even one degree Celsius. However, recent measurements show that the earth’s temperature may have increased by almost this much in only the past 100 years. Some scientists believe that this rapid temperature change is the result of human, not natural, activity. The name for this kind of unusual change is global warming, and some scientists and meteorologists predict that it may cause serious problems around the world in the near future. Some even believe these problems are already beginning to happen.While not all meteorologists and scientists agree that global warming s a reality, those who do agree have some serious concerns. They expect an increase in heat waves along with extremely heavy thunderstorms and floods in the near future. Some also predict that snowstorms will become more frequent and intense as global warming causes the level of moisture in the air to rise. In addition, others predict that the size and strength of hurricanes and typhoons will increase as the temperatures of the oceans rise.These scientists also emphasize that people living in cities near the ocean or on small islands should be particularly concerned. They suggest that, as the earth’s temperature increases, the ice at the north and south poles will begin to melt and cause sea levels to rise. This rise in the world’s oceans will, in turn, cause coastal flooding. One prediction is that by the year 2100, sea levels will be three feet higher than they are today. This would mean that cities like Venice, Italy, and Miami, Florida, could lose significant amounts of land to the ocean. Although these are only predictions, the governments in most major countries are beginning to take them seriously.。
